I didn’t grow up in church. I grew up with teenage parents, and from a young age I believed money was the way out of being poor. I worked hard, chased success, and made money my god. When I landed a consulting job that paid well, I thought I had made it. I became the breadwinner, completely in love with the lifestyle money provided.

But consulting jobs don’t last forever. One day, they told me there wasn’t enough money to keep me, and in two weeks I’d be out. I was devastated. For the first time, I dropped to my knees and prayed to a God I didn’t even believe in.

During my 45-minute commute soon after, while searching for music, I stumbled onto a sermon. As the pastor spoke about one man fulfilling prophecy, it was like the veil over my eyes was lifted. Driving down I-65, I had to pull over—I encountered Jesus for the first time.

That very weekend, I wanted to go to church. With my kids, I went to VBS, where I began learning about Jesus right alongside them. I started attending Sunday school, and one substitute teacher recognized my hunger for truth. She patiently answered every question—no matter how ridiculous it seemed—and walked with me for a year. She not only taught me about Jesus, she showed me how to be a grace-filled parent.

What happened in my life was nothing short of miraculous. At the time, I called it an “extreme makeover.” Now I know the word is sanctification—God transforming me from the inside out. My motivations completely shifted.

• Instead of chasing money, I stayed home to teach and love my children.
• Instead of chasing money, I became a counselor to encourage others with God’s Word.
• Instead of chasing money, I learned how to pray, to trust, and to depend on Jesus.

That’s why Catalyst matters to me. The people in the nine counties we’re reaching are just like me—people who didn’t grow up knowing Jesus. And I believe with all my heart that Two Rivers Church is going to reach them in a mighty way.

I know it’s possible—because Jesus did it for me.

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